Reflection on Action Document: Youth Responsibilities

How young people define responsibility? It is accountability, like an oath, which has to be performed to the best of one’s ability. It is a commitment that one needs to do because it is necessary. Young people say that responsibility creates a positive effect, which is to contribute to the good functioning of the human society, to make a difference and change things, to do good and right. It goes hand-in-hand with action.

This Reflection on Action Document was produced through a survey of and discussion among sixteen young people aged fifteen to twenty five years old from thirteen countries covering Asia, Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Also, literature on youth actions and citizenship, and particularly on youth charters has been reviewed.

"How young people define responsibility? It is accountability, like an oath, which has to be performed to the best of one’s ability. It is a commitment that one needs to do because it is necessary. Young people say that responsibility creates a positive effect, which is to contribute to the good functioning of the human society, to make a difference and change things, to do good and right. It goes hand-in-hand with action."

I. Introduction
II. Findings and Conclusions
A. Public perception on the irresponsibility of the youth
B. Convention on the rights of a child and youth responsibility
C. How young people define responsibility
D. Youth in relation to society
E. Motivation of young people to exercise of responsibility
F. How young people exercise responsibility
G. Obstacles that young people face
H. On assuming co-responsibilities with other groups
I. Youth and Digital Media
J. Building Youth Citizenship through Environmental Action
K. Youth Charters
L. Youth and the Charter of Universal Responsibilities
M. Youth and Life Purpose
N. Crossroads/Dilemma
III. Proposals

As citizens, global and local, and participants of the ‘Building a Global Citizens Movement Johannesburg Conference 2013’, we acknowledge our responsibility for the planet and for humanity and we take responsibility for our individual and collective actions.

Teaching is a noble profession. It is service-oriented. It has the potential to have a great impact in the molding of the next generation. That is why education should be valued by social institutions like government, the church, the family and civil society ...